UPCOMING EVENTS

After a successful collaboration with the Nexus 4 Android smartphone, Google may also be working with LG for yet another Nexus device, reports the Korea Times.

Let’s be clear: The Korea Times is often wrong, but it would make sense for Google to tap LG’s services again. The Nexus 4 was a solidly built Android phone — and most importantly, Google and LG were able to offer it at a bargain off-contract price of $299. (It’s unclear how much Google subsidized that price, but I’d wager that LG also tried to reduce manufacturing costs as much as it could.)

But after spending a few months with the Nexus 4, its design issues began to grate on me. Its glass back just felt cheap (and kitschy with that reflective grid), and the soft touch trim felt boring (and was quick to get grimy). And let’s not even get into its crummy camera. Overall, the Nexus 4 constantly reminded me that LG doesn’t really innovate with its designs — it just tries to copy the good stuff from other manufacturers.

The Nexus 4’s lack of LTE was its biggest problem when I reviewed it, but over time LG’s design inexperience ended up hurting more.

It’d be much more interesting if Google worked with HTC again for a Nexus phone, especially after the impressive HTC One showed that it can still innovate. HTC has also come a long way since the days of the Nexus One. But given HTC’s current financial troubles, Google would probably want a more stable partner for its next Nexus device.

We’re also hearing that Google-owned Motorola is working on a killer “X Phone” for release this year, which could end up being the Android device Google wants to push more this year. If the X Phone project is as significant as we’ve been hearing, it’d probably make sense for Google to work on a minor Nexus upgrade with LG once again.